Edward Fenton, who has led Connecticut's largest manufacturing lobby the past year as its top paid executive staffer, is stepping down.

Fenton took the reins as part-time executive director of the New Haven Manufacturers Association (NHMA) last July 1. He succeeded NHMA's long-time paid professional, Jerry Clupper, who retired the same date.

Meantime, NHMA said it has set a June 25 deadline for applications for Fenton's successor.

Fenton, who presided last Thursday at NHMA's 2018 annual meeting at Anthony's Ocean View that drew well over 300 members from large and small manufacturers statewide and guests, declined comment Monday.

"Over the past year, Ed has been instrumental in carrying forward a torch, while helping us to find areas of improvement in our operations," NHMA's outgoing president Jeffery Paz, a People's United Bank executive, said in a statement Monday.

Fenton will stay with NHMA during an unspecified transition period, Paz said

Fenton remains executive director of the Wire & Cable Manufacturers Association in Wethersfield. That group consists of North American makers of low- to high-voltage electrical, electronic and fiber optic wire and cable.